Matthew8
New International Version
1When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
4Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
15He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.
19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
24Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
25The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
29“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.
31The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Multitudes follow Christ. (1). He heals a leper. (2–4). A centurion's servant healed. (5–13). Cure of Peter's wife's mother. (14–17). The scribe's zealous proposal. (18–22). Christ in a storm. (23–27). He heals two possessed with devils. (28–34).
v1
This verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon. Those to whom Christ has made himself known, desire to know more of him.
vv2-4
In these verses we have an account of Christ's cleansing a leper, who came and worshipped him, as one clothed with Divine power. This cleansing directs us, not only to apply to Christ, who has power over bodily diseases, for the cure of them, but it also teaches us in what manner to apply to him. When we cannot be sure of God's will, we may be sure of his wisdom and mercy. No guilt is so great, but there is that in Christ's blood which atones for it; no corruption so strong, but there is that in his grace which can subdue it. To be made clean we must commend ourselves to his pity; we cannot demand it as a debt, but we must humbly request it as a favour. Those who by faith apply to Christ for mercy and grace, may be sure that he is freely willing to give them the mercy and grace they thus seek. And those afflictions are blessed that bring us to know Christ, and cause us to seek help and salvation from him. Let those who are cleansed from their spiritual leprosy, go to Christ's ministers and open their case, that they may advise, comfort, and pray for them.
vv5-13
This centurion was a heathen, a Roman soldier. Though he was a soldier, yet he was a godly man. No man's calling or place will be an excuse for unbelief and sin. See how he states his servant's case. We should concern ourselves for the souls of our children and servants, who are spiritually sick, who feel not spiritual evils, who know not that which is spiritually good; and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. Observe his self-abasement. Humble souls are made more humble by Christ's gracious dealings with them. Observe his great faith. The more diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our confidence in Christ. Herein the centurion owns him to have Divine power, and a full command of all the creatures and powers of nature, as a master over his servants. Such servants we all should be to God; we must go and come, according to the directions of his word and the disposals of his providence. But when the Son of man comes he finds little faith, therefore he finds little fruit. An outward profession may cause us to be called children of the kingdom; but if we rest in that, and have nothing else to show, we shall be cast out. The servant got a cure of his disease, and the master got the approval of his faith. What was said to him, is said to all, Believe, and ye shall receive; only believe. See the power of Christ, and the power of faith. The healing of our souls is at once the effect and evidence of our interest in the blood of Christ.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καταβαίνω (katabaínō): to descend (literally or figuratively)
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ὄρος (óros): perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)
πολύς (polýs): (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ὄχλος (óchlos): a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἀκολουθέω (akolouthéō): properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδού (idoú): used as imperative lo!;
Cross References
Matthew 8Directly quoted in verse 17 to show Christ fulfilling the prophetic portrait of the suffering Servant.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Mosaic law governing the ceremonial ritual for the cleansing of a healed leper.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The parallel account of the Roman centurion's remarkable faith and his servant's healing.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel apostolic application of Isaiah 53 regarding Christ bearing our infirmities and sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The parallel Synoptic account of the cleansing of the outcast leper.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's authoritative "I will" echoes the sovereign creative fiat in Genesis.
Supported by JFB
The parallel account of the scribe's impulsive offer to follow Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament description of those in ships caught in a tempest, crying to the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The fuller parallel account of the healing of the Gadarene demoniacs.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The miraculous healing of Naaman's leprosy serves as an OT type of cleansing.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophesies Gentiles from east and west worshiping God, matching Jesus' declaration.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms Peter was married, consistent with Christ healing his mother-in-law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Synoptic parallel concerning the disciple who wished to first bury his father.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts Jonah sleeping in a storm in flight from God with Christ sleeping in sovereign peace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates that demons believe and tremble, recognizing Christ's authority and future judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry